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Plane Crash near Kalskag Airport (Image from: Google Maps / February 5, 2013) |
Alaska State Troopers have identified three people injured in a Kuspuk School District plane crash Tuesday near the Kalskag Airport.
A Wednesday AST dispatch names the men in the Cessna 172’s crash, which troopers were notified of at 4:40 p.m., as 44-year-old pilot Steve Bruckner of Aniak and Anchorage passengers Brian Foley, 52, and Roy Guernsey, 55. Troopers say the plane was within sight of Upper Kalskag at the time of the crash.
“Reportedly just prior to the time of departure weather conditions significantly deteriorated,” troopers wrote. “The aircraft was attempting to fly along the river, when it crashed onto the ice covered Kuskokwim River causing it to flip over.”
Troopers say Guernsey was medevaced to Anchorage, while Bruckner and Foley were flown to Bethel. All three were reported in stable condition.
Kuspuk School District Superintendent Brad Allen confirmed that the plane was owned and operated by the district. Allen said that weather conditions were unknown in Kalskag at the time of the crash, but that there were periodic planes taking off and leaving throughout the day.
Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers were conducting an investigation at the scene Wednesday, with the Federal Aviation Administration also notified of the crash.
Contact Mike Ross, Neil Torquiano and Chris Klint
